MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

[mlblover15]

Re: MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA View Post
Beginner mode was not designed for veterans of the series who know how the play the game. It was created for two sets of people those who have never played and those who struggle mightily making solid contact hitting the ball and/or recognizing pitch types.

All the batting practice modes are still there but not very many people want to open a game and jump right into batting practice because they aren't that good. The vast majority of games don't want to do this they want to jump right into the meat and potatoes and play.

Beginner mode allows a user to do this, they get the play a normal 9 inning game and be eased into the hitting aspect while at the same time having fun. By the time a user graduates out of beginner mode we've (hopefully) taught them a thing or two about pitch recognition, balls/strike recognition and patience at the plate. The batting practice modes don't do this, hence the need for another approach.

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA View Post
It's actually very very necessary this new feature isn't really for anyone on this site. We do extensive post morterms with all types of groups of gamers and one of the most consistent thing we've heard the past three years is the game isn't very accessible.

Making rookie easier (which we have done two years straight) isnt' the answer it's just an easier difficulty setting. That's not the issue people are having hence why we designed a new mode to help ease (those who need it) into the hitting portion of the game.

The purpose of beginner mode is to teach someone how to hit by starting out with squaring up on a fast ball down the middle of the plate and gradually working into fast ball placement. Eventually working into pitch recognition ball recognition and pitcher tendencies. Making the game easier accomplishes none of these issues.

Now your comment about the resources you really have no idea what you are talking about here. It's December we choose to talk about specific things during this time and this year it's beginner mode. The design and art work needed for feature completion is minimal when compared to the work that was done to franchise and RTTS. That's not even taking into account the other features and improvements that haven't been announced yet.

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA View Post
The timing window across the board has been widened a decent amount. This change alone has really opened the game up offensively and we have tweaked other areas to help compensate for this so the game doesn't turn into MLB Jam. I don't know if you will need a hitter's eye mechanic. Having you be able to see the ball spin is something we've thought about for the past year it's just that ball is really really small as is. If we did do something like that it might be gimmicky but who knows maybe we will prototype something like that if people continue to struggle this year.


Movement types not this year the hitting was already hard enough and we didn't want to introduce anything that could make it harder but next year is a different story. Jeff (a.i. programmer who gave everyone the new ball physics) already has an idea for this area of the game. We aren't doing it this year but next is a different story.

hopefully this will clear it all up for all of you!!!!

[authentic]

Re: MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

I would rather see improved stadium models, lighting, and animations (fielding, throwing, running) than improvements to rtts(never used it) and other such features. but thats just want I want..

Yes, this mode obviously is one of the only additions this year. SMH, do people read? What did Russell say a page or two ago. I'll let you find out for yourself about other improvements he said would be made.

[Bahnzo]

Re: Beginner Mode: A Tutorial for MLB 13 The Show’s Non-Tutorial

I've been playing The Show since 2005(and baseball games a LOT longer than that)(playing being a relative term in my case...but I do try)...and I still suck at hitting.
I swear ChrisSCEA put this in the game just to break my balls.

Well, considering you only play Manager Mode, I don't know why you'd be bothered with it to begin with?

[Perfect Zero]

Re: Beginner Mode: A Tutorial for MLB 13 The Show’s Non-Tutorial

Well, considering you only play Manager Mode, I don't know why you'd be bothered with it to begin with?

I've played for years and getting the swing of the hitting game down is tough. I'm still not where I want to be.

Look, you think you're the Second Comming; we get that. For the 99% of us who are mere mortals, this mode is a great way to get into the game.

[nuke_21]

Yes, this mode obviously is one of the only additions this year. SMH, do people read? What did Russell say a page or two ago. I'll let you find out for yourself about other improvements he said would be made.

If i see tim hudson still throwing like a 4 year old, then i know scea isnt spending enough time on important aspects of the game...

[nuke_21]

Im a little worried this year with ps4 around the corner and no competition from 2k

[tabarnes19_SDS]

Re: MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

Im a little worried this year with ps4 around the corner and no competition from 2k

Don't be

[mlblover15]

Re: MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

Thought this little part of an article i was reading on the next gen systems was cool.....

"As for the rest of the specs, both systems are rumored to be using at least 2 GB of RAM, though many developers, including Crytek, Epic and Electronic Arts, are asking for at least 8 GB of RAM in either console. If the PlayStation 4 can meet this demand, we’ll see a large increase in visuals and objects on-screen, making the PS4 the go-to console for many gamers."

(found on playstation4.com)

[nuke_21]

Thought this little part of an article i was reading on the next gen systems was cool.....

"As for the rest of the specs, both systems are rumored to be using at least 2 GB of RAM, though many developers, including Crytek, Epic and Electronic Arts, are asking for at least 8 GB of RAM in either console. If the PlayStation 4 can meet this demand, we’ll see a large increase in visuals and objects on-screen, making the PS4 the go-to console for many gamers."

(found on playstation4.com)

Cant wait!...its been too long with the same visuals in games this gen

[Mabster]

Hitting a baseball is supposed to be the hardest thing in sports to do.

Hitting something with a stick is simple.

It's no surprise you invalidated your whole argument in two simple sentences.

I don't see how this feature isn't a good thing to include. Nobody is forced to use it and the option is there for people who do need it. Win/win.

It's not like SCEA used three quarters of the development cycle on this one new feature.

Baseball, real or video game, needs new fans added to its base to survive and prosper. Arguing against something that adds fans is like arguing for The Show to die. No thank you!

[thevaliantx]

Personally, I think that SCEA should have invested this time in getting the gameplay right. The obvious issues like pickoff throws by the AI (or complete lack of), the scheduling issues from last year, fatigue issues. I really do hope they also addressed the crowd (tiring and limited animations), and maybe even added a "one pitch mode" for those who like to move the games along faster or are into "manage only". Why keep adding new features, especially ones that the majority of folks will never use, when the core of the game isn't where it needs to be?

[HustlinOwl]

Re: MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

Personally, I think that SCEA should have invested this time in getting the gameplay right. The obvious issues like pickoff throws by the AI (or complete lack of), the scheduling issues from last year, fatigue issues. I really do hope they also addressed the crowd (tiring and limited animations), and maybe even added a "one pitch mode" for those who like to move the games along faster or are into "manage only". Why keep adding new features, especially ones that the majority of folks will never use, when the core of the game isn't where it needs to be?

umm manage only is a mode the core does not use lmao

[Money99]

Re: MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

Personally, I think that SCEA should have invested this time in getting the gameplay right. The obvious issues like pickoff throws by the AI (or complete lack of), the scheduling issues from last year, fatigue issues. I really do hope they also addressed the crowd (tiring and limited animations), and maybe even added a "one pitch mode" for those who like to move the games along faster or are into "manage only". Why keep adding new features, especially ones that the majority of folks will never use, when the core of the game isn't where it needs to be?

You really need to search for some of Russell's previous posts here.
He has noted, time and time again, that through their research, that the majority of people they talk with, or test with, have said the game is too hard.

I'm a big hockey fan (or used to be), and it took me some time to realize that EA will never make a hockey game I want to see because my opinion accounts for 10% (if that!) of the consumers out there.
A great majority of those that buy EA NHL games are casual fans that don't want the same game I do.

OS is a great place to discuss sports and sports games, but most of us are in a stark minority when it comes to the overall consensus of how these sports games should look.

It's still a business so you need to cater to the masses.
I think SCEA has actually gone over and above trying to appease the small sample group that OS represents.

[Knight165]

Re: MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

Personally, I think that SCEA should have invested this time in getting the gameplay right. The obvious issues like pickoff throws by the AI (or complete lack of), the scheduling issues from last year, fatigue issues. I really do hope they also addressed the crowd (tiring and limited animations), and maybe even added a "one pitch mode" for those who like to move the games along faster or are into "manage only". Why keep adding new features, especially ones that the majority of folks will never use, when the core of the game isn't where it needs to be?

If you're talking about the no pickoff throws in MoM.....it's a bug and I've let them know about it.

What are the fatigue issues?

...and they always work on gameplay...regardless of what else they do to the game.

M.K.
Knight165

[thaSLAB]

Re: MLB 13 The Show - Beginner Mode Impressions

You really need to search for some of Russell's previous posts here.
He has noted, time and time again, that through their research, that the majority of people they talk with, or test with, have said the game is too hard.

I'm a big hockey fan (or used to be), and it took me some time to realize that EA will never make a hockey game I want to see because my opinion accounts for 10% (if that!) of the consumers out there.
A great majority of those that buy EA NHL games are casual fans that don't want the same game I do.

OS is a great place to discuss sports and sports games, but most of us are in a stark minority when it comes to the overall consensus of how these sports games should look.

It's still a business so you need to cater to the masses.
I think SCEA has actually gone over and above trying to appease the small sample group that OS represents.

Yep. If you (generously) figure half of the 240K or so OS members own a PS3/Vita, and very generously assume that every one of them are baseball fans and will buy the game; which figures to sell at least 800K copies, that still only accounts for roughly 15% of the total userbase.